Edited
Author of the article:
David Pugliese • Ottawa Citizen
Published Dec 27, 2023 • Last updated 19 hours ago • 3 minute read
A top U.S. military officer has warned that the delivery of F-35 aircraft ordered by Canada and other allies could be delayed because of ongoing technical problems.
If that happens, depending on the length of the delay, Canadian taxpayers could have to spend between $400 million and $700 million extra for the stealth fighters.
“As with any developmental program, there are challenges in software and hardware production, testing and certification,” National Defence spokesman Andrew McKelvey said. “Canada is aware of the potential delivery delays; however, at this time Canada’s delivery of the initial aircraft in 2026 remains on track.” Ha, ha !!
“Should there be delays in the delivery of these fighter jets for whatever reason, if there’s a slippage by a year, that would increase costs [by] about $400 million,” he told reporters on Nov. 2. “Or should there be a two-year slippage, the increase in costs should be about $700 million.”
F-35 manufacturer Lockheed Martin has informed U.S. media outlets Defense News and Forbes that some Block 4 components are in different stages of development and will be delivered incrementally. i.e., the engines may be delivered without the airframe !!
In early January, Canada announced it was purchasing 88 F-35s in a deal valued at $19 billion.
Another $6 billion will be spent on weapons for the aircraft.
During the 2015 election campaign, Justin Trudeau vowed that his government would never purchase the F-35.
As prime minister, Trudeau continued to point out the Canadian military had no need for the F-35. “Canadians know full well that, for 10 years, the Conservatives completely missed the boat when it came to delivering to Canadians and their armed forces the equipment they needed,” Trudeau said in June 2016. “They clung to an aircraft (the F-35) that does not work and is far from working.”
But in announcing the purchase on Jan. 9, Anand said the F-35 was needed to protect Canada and fulfill the country’s obligations to allies.
More than 780 F-35s have already been delivered to the U.S. military and allies, but the stealth fighter is still plagued with technical problems.
At a technical briefing held by the Canadian government on Jan. 9, 2023, a senior official claimed that the problems dogging the F-35 are “historical.”
That, however, isn’t true.
In April 2022, the U.S. government watchdog, the Government Accountability Office, reported more delays in operational testing that is needed to be completed so full-rate production of the F-35 can begin. There are still hundreds of problems left to solve on the aircraft, and companies are redesigning and replacing equipment on the planes that have already been delivered. “The more aircraft produced and delivered prior to resolving deficiencies, the greater the likelihood that the program will have to retrofit aircraft, at the expense of the government,” the Government Accountability Office report stated.
Canada is a partner in the F-35 program and has contributed more than $600 million U.S. in funding for the aircraft’s development over the years.
If anyone mentions the phrase, “There was no alternative.” I shall … explode !!
